[Mgs] OT - F1

[Max Heim]

Unfortunately, automotive technology has far outstripped the capacity for
building appropriate commercially-viable circuits. The major limiting factor
for F1 is that the cars are required to run at Monaco and other traditional
circuits (despite Bernie's attempts to move the entire series to Asia, this
is unlikely to change). An otherwise unlimited formula, even with an
arbitrarily small displacement limit for engines, would produce cars so fast
they would require a new generation of tracks, with immense runoff areas for
safety (and very few viewpoints for spectators).

So some kind of restriction is needed to slow the cars down. Lately they
have felt the need to add further artificial constraints in the interest of
encouraging on-track passing (deliberate tire degradation, KERS, DRS zones,
ever-changing rules regarding diffusers).

Personally, I would be inclined to take a different approach. I would ban
all attached aerodynamic devices, while retaining the mandated flat bottoms.
No wings, fins, exhaust diffusers or odd-shaped extrusions. I'd also go back
to designing tires for grip rather than planned self-destruction. By
shifting the emphasis to mechanical grip rather than downforce, it would
place a premium on driver skill, and make overtaking easier by reducing the
sensitivity to "dirty air".

I would also reinstate in-season testing, and increase the tire supply. The
current limitations on both do nothing to reduce costs, they just increase
the advantage of the richer teams with more supercomputers for simulation.

IMNSHO...

--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Menlo Park, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires



on 1/29/14 6:05 AM, Barrie Robinson at barrie at look.ca wrote:

> Rick & friends,
> 
> Why do they have to dictate the engine size or weight of car.  It has
> long been proved that bigger engines do not make for the fastest
> cars.  Lotus showed the USA that..    Refuelling
> restriction  Yes  but amount No!   Nose height hmmmm?   One just has
> to look at some of the rockets that appear on Top Gear - some of
> those companies could possibly make F1 more exciting and produce
> different looking cars.  Don't know about you but they all look the
> same to me and all camouflaged with adverts so it is difficult to see
> the shape - like war time jazz camouflage.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 07:45 AM 29/01/2014 -0600, Rick Lindsay wrote:
>> Hello Friends,
>> 
>> Just a short note to champion the start of the upcoming 2014 Formula
>> 1 season. Pre-season testing has begun and the results (and cars)
>> are interesting. This year we see a new formula and new rules.
>> 
>> F1 engines for 2014 are down from the historical V12, V10 and V8
>> designs to a rev-limited tri-turbo 1.6 liter V6! No one, that I have
>> read, is commenting on the engine note but I'm sure its very
>> different. Rather, all emphasis seems to be on the shape of the
>> cars' noses. New rules in the formula specify the height of the
>> nose, but not the shape. So as one might imagine, there are a lot of
>> different designs - all within the formula while still trying for
>> the best aerodynamic shape.
>> 
>> A few seasons ago the FIA eleminated refueling during the race. This
>> year they have further restricted the amount of fuel that can be
>> used. I fear that drivers will be forced to drive for fuel economy,
>> just as they have had to conserve those crappy Pirelli tires, rather
>> than race full-out. I know its just my opinion but I'd rather see
>> tire and fuel management be the concern of the race engineers,
>> leaving the drivers to just drive their races. But you know what
>> opinions are like...
>> 
>> Erik, are you working communications again in Melbourne? I'd love to
>> be back with you working again this year but alas, retirement has
>> fixed my income. In fact, I haven't worked an F1 race since the US
>> F1 GP races at Indy. That's kinda sad, especially since its just
>> laziness on my part. Still, we both know that when you work a race
>> you don't get to watch the race.
>> 
>> That's it for this morning. Its been a little too cold to do much in
>> the garage. I've been content to reupholster the dining room chairs.
>> That too is a little sad. :-P
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> -rick

> 
> Regards,
> Barrie
> 
> Barrie Robinson
> MGB GT V8 in concours condition
> Aston Martin DB 2/4 MkII under restoration
> www.AMFClub.com
> www.britcot.com
> www.vectisgroup.ca
> barrie at look.ca
> Barrie, Ontario
> 705-721-9060